Chrysanthemum named &#39;Sunny Elite Reagan&#39;

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ characterized by its medium sized blooms with yellow ray-florets and yellow-green disc florets.

RELATED CULTIVARS

[0001] ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ is related to ‘White Elite Reagan’ (#______) and the co-pending application of ‘Cream Elite Reagan’ (#______). ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ and ‘Cream Elite Reagan’ are both natural mutants of ‘White Elite reagan’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ is a product of a breeding and selection program which had the objective of fmding color mutants of ‘White Elite Reagan’. The new plant of the present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of chrysanthemum plant that is a natural occuring sport of a parent chrysanthemum named ‘White Elite Reagan’ ( #______). A comparison with Parent chrysanthemum ‘White Elite Reagan’ is also made in this application. The new cultivar was discovered as a whole plant mutation in April 1999 by Rob Noodelijk in a controlled environment (greenhouse) in Rijsenhout Holland. The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in June 1999 in Rijsenhout Holland.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is a new and distinct variety of chrysanthemum bearing medium sized blooms with yellow ray-florets and yellow-green disc florets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The present invention of a new and distinct variety of chrysanthemum is shown in the accompanying drawings, the color being as nearly true as possible with color photographs of this type.

[0005]FIG. 1 shows a plant of the cultivar in full bloom.

[0006]FIG. 2 shows the various stages of bloom of the new cultivar.

[0007]FIG. 3 shows the foliage of the new cultivar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] This new variety of chrysanthemum is of the botanical classification dendranthema grandiflora. The observations and measurements were gathered from plants grown in April/May in a greenhouse in Rijsenhout Holland in a photo-periodic controlled crop under conditions generally used in commercial practice. The greenhouse temperatures during this crop were at day-time between 18° C. and 25° C. and at night 20° C. After a long day period of 14 days the photo-periodic response time in this crop was 50 days. After the long day period to flowering growth retardants were applied 2 to 3 times in an average dose of 2.5 gram/liter water. No tests were done on disease or insect resistance or susceptibility. This new variety produces medium sized blooms with yellow ray-florets and yellow-green disc-florets blooming on the plant for 5 weeks. This new variety of chrysanthemum has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics throughout successive propagations however the phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as light intensity and temperature. To show the phenotype as described ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ can be planted without assimilation lightning (high pressure sodium lamps) between week 50 and week 40 of the next year under greenhouse conditions in Holland. With assimilation light (minimum level 2500 lux) it can be planted year round under greenhouse conditions in Holland.

[0009] From the cultivars known to inventor the most similar existing cultivar in comparison to ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ is ‘White Elite Reagan’ and ‘Sunny Reagan (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9928). When ‘White Elite Reagan’ and ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ are being compared the following differences and similarities are noticed: The difference of ‘White Elite Reagan’ and ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ is the flower color for which characteristics ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ has been selected out of ‘White Elite Reagan’. All other characteristics of ‘White Elite Reagan’ and ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ are similar.

[0010] The differences of ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ and ‘Sunny Reagan’ are: (1) Disc flower color and size. The flower disc of ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ is more green and smaller. (2) Growth rate. The growth of ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ is more vigorous. (3) Response time. The response time of ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ is 3 till 4 days shorter.

[0011] The following is a description of the plant and characteristics that distinguish ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ as a new and distinct variety.

[0012] The color designations are taken from the plant itself. Accordingly, any discrepancies between the color designations and the colors depicted in the photographs are due to photographic tolerances. The color chart used in this description is: The Royal Horticultural Society color chart, edition 1995.

[0013] TABLE 1 Botanical Description of CULTIVAR ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ Bud Size Medium, cross-section +/− 1.0 cm height +/− 0.8 cm Outside Color Yellow 9 A Involucral bracts 2 rows, length 7 mm, width 3 mm Involucral bracts among Not present disc-florets Involucral bracts color Green 138 B Bloom Type Single Height Flat Size Medium Fully Expanded 6.0-7.0 cm Number of blooms per Average of 11-12 single stem Seeds Not produced Performance (blooming period) 26-28 days Fragrance Typical chrysanthemum Color Center of the flower Immature yellow-green 144 B, mature (disc-florets) yellow-green 144 B to yellow 3 A along the border Color of upper surface of Yellow 5 A the majority of the ray-florets Color of the lower surface of Yellow 5 C the majority of the ray-florets Tonality from Distance A spray mum with yellow flowers and a yellow-green disc Discoloration to color Yellow 4 A Ray florets Texture Upper and under side smooth Number 20-22 Cross-section Flat, sometimes convex Longitudinal axis of majority Straight, sometimes reflexing Length of corolla tube Very short to short Ray-floret length 3.5 cm Ray-floret width 1.2 cm Ratio length/width Low to medium Shape of tip Pointed Disc florets Disc diameter Medium to small, 1.0-1.2 cm Distribution of disc florets Numerous, clearly visible at all stages of flowering Type Tubular Color Yellow-green 144 A Receptacle shape Conical raised Reproductive Organs Stamen (present in disc Yellow-green, thin 3 mm in length florets only) Stamen color Yellow-green 150 B Pollen Appears at a very late stage of flowering, Pollen color Close to yellow 12 A Styles (present in both Green, thin ray and disc florets) Style color Green 143 B Style Length 4 mm Stigmas Yellow-green Stigma Width 1 mm Ovaries Enclosed in calyx Plant Form A spray mum meant for erect culture Growth habit Upright Growth rate Vigorous Height 105-130 cm internodes 3-3.5 cm Spray formation Corymbiform (funnel-shaped with a little round to flat umbel on top) Peduncle length Near the top 14 cm, near the middle 21 cm, near the bottom 26 cm Peduncle color Green 138 B Peduncle, attachment Good, not brittle Peduncle, angle with stem Small, 30° Stem Color Green 137 A Stem Strength Medium Stem Brittleness Absent Stem Anthocyanin Coloration Absent Flowering Response 50 days (photo-periodic controlled crop, not natural season) Foliage Color Upper side Under side Size Medium; length +/− 12 cm, width +/8 cm Quantity (number per 22-28 single stem) Shape Ovate Texture upper side Scabrous Texture under side Slightly pubescent Venation arrangement Pinnate Shape of the margin Lobed Shape of Base of Sinus Between Round Lateral Lobes Margin of Sinus Between Diverging Lateral Lobes Shape of Base Truncate, sometimes asymmetrical Apex Mucronate

TABLE 2 Differences with the Comparison Varieties

[0014] TABLE 2 Differences with the comparison Varieties ‘Sunny ‘White ‘Sunny Elite Reagan’ Elite Reagan’ Reagan’ Color of the ray-florets Yellow 5 A White 155 D Yellow 5 A Flower disc size 1.0-1.2 cm 1.0-1.2 cm 1.5 cm Flower disc color Yellow-green Yellow-green Yellow-green immature 144 A 144 A 151 C Growth rate vigorous vigorous Strong Peduncle, angle with 30° 30° 30-35° stem Response time in days 50 49 53-54 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of chrysanthemum plant as described and illustrated. 